Post here to ask any questions about hardware suitability, configuration in ZoneMinder, or experiences. If you just want to know if something works with ZoneMinder or not, please check the Hardware Compatibility sections in the forum, and the Wiki first. Also search this topic as well.
Emailed their support to ask some questions and got the following reply. Hope it's of use to anyone considering Gadspot.
> 1. Will it work with Zoneminder (MJPEG or JPG streams only, not activex/java)?
I believe that it will work with Zoneminder, but you will have to check with them for confirmation.
You can obtain MJPEG or JPG streams.
>2. Can it Pan/Tilt to a programmable or preset pattern automatically?
No, the pan and tilt is not programmable (Our dome cameras are)
> 3. Do you forsee any issues with using PoE and an additional adapter to convert supply back to 12vdc? (I'm aware camera doesn't support PoE directly)
I have tested using PoE on a 12V adapter and it was fine, you will need 1.5A to cater for inrush currents. Operation is < 1A
> 4. Spec say wrt lens: "Auto Iris Standard C/CS Mount Type (Not included)" - To clarify, it is supplied with a basic lens, just not the Auto-iris one?
The camera comes wth a 6mm fixed CS lens.
Unless anyone comes up with any negative comments about this camera or other Gadspot products, I'll prolly be ordering it on Monday. Ta.
Order and delivery painless. Next-day delivery, huge parcel including camera pre-fitted with the extra lens I ordered (auto iris, 12mm) fitted into the exterior casing. PT base unit (Large and heavy!) and a control box (also large, heavy and gets warm). This box appears to act as transformer and PT controller. It's also waterproof for exterior fitting.
Quality of components is good. Packaging good.
Exterior case: Certainly looks the business, waterproof - fitted with 8cm fan but no heater. (Possibly the IR LED's provide some warmth, unknown)
Manual: One sheet of printed paper, and medium-detail PDF on the mini-CD. Also on CD was an IP-configurator that had no problem finding the camera on my 10.0.* lan.
Software: Goodish. I was disappointed at first as I only had the most basic of screens and no PT controls, then realised I was in Firefox. Running Internet Explorer brought forth a much better set of tools, onscreen pan/tilt with speed controls.
Camera output: Both analogue AND digital streams can be had. It supplies jpg and mjpeg just fine and the presets for Gadspot in Zoneminder work a treat. Not tried getting the P/T working with it, but will probably use the on-camera PT stuff for that.
Untested night vision as yet.
Problems:
One major one. One reason for buying this camera was for its audio properties. The onboard mic is good and activex support works fine - except in this bundle it's enclosed in a surprisingly soundproof case and the whine of the case fan totally obliterates ALL other noises! Worse is there's no external mic support. I brought this up with the suppliers who promised to mention this to the manufacturers. Seems very silly that a cheap 3.5mm jack socket was omitted.
Also - I queried gadspot to see whether this could be fed by PoE. I was assured yes - but in reality, only the camera is PoE friendly via adapter - the PT unit requires a mains feed. Small problem, but an extra hour+ install time.
That aside, first impressions are good. The PT works very well and the external kit is great.
Interesting, thanks for the update. Out of interest, do you have any sample images that you could post (you can upload them to the wiki if you don't have hosting)?
Also, what price did you pay for the cam (approx). Did you order it from the US or get it from a UK distributor?
Apologies for wonkiness and for time before posting, need to go back out and adjust. Quality is fine and on-par with the Axis with this extra lens. (I imagine the bog-standard one is less good)
Night-time seems as advertised - 100ft with supplied LED's. Currently they're bouncing off the outer housing's window and causing glare, but I'll adjust up tight to the glass later and hope that gets fixed. Been running for about ten days with no faults or hangs and no apparent overheat despite the fan now being disconnected. (Can't imagine it's required except for very high temps, although we'll see if it's needed for de-misting)
I'm slightly confused by the information on the gadspot website about the GS1600/NC1600. It seems that it's an ip cam, but it also has a video output. and the image sizes mentioned are the traditional type e.g. SIF, QSIF. does this mean that they're not proper progressive scans cameras? do you still get interlacing artifacts if you use them as ip cams?
also, i'm presuming the nc1600 is the same as the camera in the nc1600h package, can anyone confirm this?
As for artifacting, I've seen none. It behaves exactly like any other IP cam. I can't say what it's like with the analogue feed, however.
Yes, it is IR sensitive and comes with a circle of IR LED's in the housing. Night view is not superb, I get glareback and the 100 feet range is optimistic in an open field.
I'm curious to know if this cam will send audio with MJPEG.
Also, was the configuration of the audio simple? In otherwords was it all through ZM OR do I need to set it up for every machine on an individual basis?
No - MJPEG has no ability to carry audio, nor Zoneminder to record it (yet).
The audio on this particular camera seems to need the ActiveX wrapper. If you view with Firefox then you get a basic control set and a picture.
If you view in IE and install the activex control the camera sends you, you can then pan/tilt the camera through the web browser and receive audio.
Audio config was easy - although as mentioned I had to disable the onboard fan as the noise drowned everything out. The mic is fine in quality BUT it is inside a plastic box so a whispered conversation even a few yards away will not be picked up. The transfer of the audio (two codecs to choose) is fine.
Each client machine will need to install the activex control when they first view it, but that's very easy and within normal user ability.
Once installed, it's easy to use.
No special software (other than IE if you want to control pan/tilt and audio). Firefox and Zoneminder read the mjpeg stream just fine.
